THE EFFECTS OF THE MILITARY TRADITION ON LEBANONS ASSERTIVE DRUZES

This study asks whether the defence mechanisms developed by some minor ities, as a result of a combination of factors involving threats and g roup responses, might eventually become important 'energisers' which m agnify the group's political influence. To answer this question, the s tudy focuses on Lebanon's assertive Druze community, a heterodox Musli m sect known for having achieved considerable political influence in s pite of its small numbers. Using data from several empirical works the study explores the extent to which traits associated with a military tradition, such as readiness to use force to redress grievances, inter nalisation of martial virtues, and others, have been transmitted to Dr uze youth. It was found that an action orientation and martial attitud e were demonstrated to a greater extent by Druze respondents than by o thers, which suggests that the Druzes have internalised their communit y's military tradition as a prideful part of their identity. This tend ency apparently reinforces intra-group cohesiveness, which is a positi ve factor in postwar Lebanon where other communities remain dangerousl y fragmented.